Brooke Martin Photography {The Blog}

I Heart Faces...Eyes

2011-08-16T01:19:00.000-05:00

Using this lovely pictures of my sweet cousin for my entry for I Heart Faces photo challenge theme: Beautiful Eyes!

A quick note, I host a weekly photo link up along with 6 other ladies, called Project 64: Out of the Box. It's a fun weekly photo challenge where we hunt the colors selected at random at of a box of 64 count crayons! It's a fun and challenging project, we feature weekly favorites who then are entered in a vote off where the winner is selected by the readers and participants of Project 64. The winner then receives a fun prize from one of our sponsors! Speaking of sponsors, we are getting ready to introduce some new ones, so make sure you come on over and join the fun!

Bug hunting...

2011-08-16T00:53:00.000-05:00

This crazy Oklahoma heat finally decided to take a break and my boys and I decided to spend some time outside! With all the poor dry grass and dead flowers there were grasshoppers everywhere, this little guy decided to stay around long enough for a photo shoot!

They turned out a little grainier than I wanted, I keep forgetting to change my ISO on my new camera, it's very frustrating! Linking up with Sweet Shot Tuesdays!

Review of color

2011-08-15T23:32:00.001-05:00

Hey guys! This week over at the weekly photo challenge I host we are having a catchup day! So if any of you out there have been following our project and wanted to join in the color hunting fun head on over and link up!

We currently have two link ups open, the weekly color find link up, this week's color is Cadet Blue and a catchup linky, for anyone who wants to catchup on past colors or share a blog post of your favorite past color finds! If you've never linked up or visited our blog we'd love for you to come on over and join the colorful fun! We feature weekly favorites who then are entered in a vote off where the winner is selected by the readers and participants of Project 64. The winner then receives a fun prize from one of our sponsors! Speaking of sponsors, we are getting ready to introduce some new ones, so make sure you come on over!

In honor of our catchup link up I thought I'd share a few of my favorite color finds from the first half of the box of 64 colors! Hope to see you all soon!

Swept away....

2011-08-04T01:44:00.000-05:00

I had another get together with some fellow photographer friends and it was so fun! I love these little get togethers and I LOVE searching for the locations and styling the sessions! So far this location was my favorite!!! Not to mention we had a great model, thanks to Malisa of Morgan Street Studios for sharing her senior rep!

Even though we had a great time, I think we might wait until fall gets here to meet again, this 110+ degree weather is getting kinda crazy!! Although looking at the pics of our awesome model you wouldn't even know it, she was trooper! Ok, just a few more of my favorite shots from our evening of fun and shooting!

A sweet get together!

2011-06-28T00:27:00.000-05:00

Hey everyone! This last weekend I got together with two of my local photographer friends and we met to have a little fun shooting then grabbed some lunch! It was sooooo much fun and nice to visit about photography, motherhood and everything in between (I think we even got some Justin Bieber in there, haha). Well here are some of the shots we got this weekend (the session was styled by me and my bargain and vintage finds)...

This first set of photos are my FAVORITES from the day, this gratified wall made for an amazing background and worked well with this little vintage black dress and fascinator headpiece...

This next set has some of my favorite close up shots of your beautiful model Savanna...

Well, since today is Tuesday and this session was just so sweet I thought I'd enter the shoe picture into Sweet Shot Tuesday over at My Three Boybarians! They also happen to be the newest color we are hunting over at Project 64 Colors, so come on over and linkup YOUR red finds on Sunday, (We are still accepting submissions for GOLDENROD)!!

P.S.

You can check out the Facebook profiles of my photography friends who joined me in our get together here:

Kendall Johns Artography

Serendipity Photography

I Heart Faces, A Touch of Whimsy

2011-06-27T11:01:00.000-05:00

Got together with some local photographers and a model this weekend for a just for fun photo shoot! Gave us a chance to get to know each other, learn from each other and find some fun new locations! Not to mention I got a chance to dress our model up in some fun vintage pieces I found recently at the antique store, a little black dress and super cute veiled fascinator! I always feel that a veil over the eyes adds a little whimsy to any session! So I am entering this shot I got from this weekend to the I Heart Faces photo challenge this week!

People's Choice-I Heart Faces

2011-05-31T05:29:00.001-05:00

It's photo challenge time over at I Heart Faces! This time around its people's choice, best May face! I picked one from the San Antonio Dream Big workshop I attended hosted by I Heart Faces. I thought our lovely model, Sarah, just look gorgeous and the light, courtesy of an overcast day was just lovely!

It's people's choice so head on over to I Heart Face and enter your best May face!

It's also happens to be Sweet Shoot Tuesday over at My 3 Boybarians!

I Heart Faces-Dream Big San Antonio Workshop!

2011-05-31T05:12:00.000-05:00

I am FINALLY getting a chance to go through my photos from my wonderful trip to San Antonio! I had the opportunity to meet a talented group of ladies and take part in a whirlwind of photography filled goodness! During the workshop we had the chance to breakup into groups and have mini photo shoots with our lovely models. Today I had a chance to work on some of my photos of our gorgeous model, Sarah. I hope to get more done soon, so stay tuned!

I'm still here...

2011-04-28T17:13:00.000-05:00

Just popping in to let you all know that I'm still here! I just haven't been here here, I've been spending most of my blogging time over at my collaborative blog, Project 64:Out of the box. Besides being busy hunting colors, I've just found my self busy in general...plus I've been trying to figure things out. I find myself pulled in so many directions and not fully devoting myself to anything. Photography, blogging, motherhood, being a wife, they all have sort of taken over my life and all at once and if I was to be completely honest with myself I've sort of put them in that order...Which makes me feel extremely guilty and sort of like a failure too! So, I've been trying to take it all in and figure things out.

So that is where I am and as a result I've been MIA on this blog and in all my favorite photo challenges! Even flickr is missing me, with the exception of posting for Faith Raider's ecourse Simply Bliss: Childhood Photography, which is a great class that I need to get caught up in since my computer is working again and the rain has gone away and decided to wait for another day. Which reminds me! Did I tell you that I'm going to the Dream Big workshop host by I Heart Faces in May!!!! I am super excited! I also plan to join in at Creativity Boot Camp: Spring Training in May! May is full of lots of exciting things, including a much needed family vacation, so I am hoping May will bring some much needed balance, inspiration and renewal!

I hope you all are doing well and life is finding you happy and inspired! Until next time I leave you with some recent photos!

Not sure if you noticed it, but I sneaked one of myself in there...thought it was time for a new pic and liked this one that I took of myself after a recent session.

See you all later,
Brooke

A little time to myself...

2011-02-25T17:42:00.000-06:00

This past weekend I had the opportunity to have some much needed girl time. An old friend from high school came down to spend some time with me and my men went to visit their Nana (my hubby's mom). My friend and I spent most of our day antique shopping and stopped to grab a bite to eat. We then headed home and did a little bit of crafting and watch Pride and Prejudice. It was very nice to be able to visit with her and to not be surrounded by toys and boys. I rarely get time away from my family, not that I want to run away or be without them, but sometimes its nice to be with company that "gets"you and can talk about things other than toy cars and winning video games. It is also nice to not always be "on", no dishes, laundry or refereeing. We didn't even cook, just a frozen pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert

We had a nice time during our girls day...my friend had to leave early the next morning, as duty calls for us mommies, however my men were not due back until late afternoon. So, not only did I get much needed girl time, I got me time! I did a whole lot of nothing, I watched movies without interruption and took a nap. I even took some time to take a few pictures without little fingers moving in and knocking over my setups or jumping on my back right as I click the shutter.

My girl time and me time was nice and very much needed, but it was equally rewarding when tiny feet ran into the house and jumped into my arms. Their warm embraces and affectionate words just made me love them even more!

Hope you are having a good week,
Brooke

Traffic Jams and Speed Races

2011-02-24T16:36:00.000-06:00

The last few days I've been so busy working on the business side of my phoography that I have hardly picked up my actual camera. I have however utilized my iPhone to get some fun shots of my boys cars. I love seeing the lines they make and the senarios they set up! A few days ago there was a traffic jam on the way from my oldest's room into my youngest's room. Today we had sprint races and a huge crowd showed up to watch!

It's nice to have my phone around to capture fun stuff like this! I played around with these in the free Instagram app on my iPhone, do you guys have photography apps on your iPhones? Which on is your favorite?

Help me please!!!

2011-02-23T15:22:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I am currently in the process of trying to narrow down some of my favorite portraits to four, but it is just so hard!! I managed to narrow it down enough to compile them in a poll and ask you to help me....would you? Please, help me out? You can vote for four of your favorites....it's hard criticizing your own work...sometimes I like one of my pieces and my husband doesn't, so this poll is a mixture of some of my favorites and some of his, thanks for helping me out!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T00:01:00.001-06:00

Just wanted to drop in and say Happy Valentine's day!

I will be a guest muse today over at Mortal Muses, so head on over and check it out, I will be musing on evidence of love!

Also, the linky is up over at Project64, so feel free to share some Apricot love!

Have a lovely day,

Brooke

A little photo challenge love!

2011-02-11T03:16:00.000-06:00

So, it's almost Valentine's day so why not jump on the love band wagon and get all mushy! Ok so I'm not going to get mushy, but I did want to share some love and heart theme photos!

A few days ago I heard my little munchkins giggling and playing together, with out throwing punches...so, I snuck in and tried to get some evidence that they DO play nice. I got busted and the oldest took off once he realized I had my camera. My youngest was playing with his ABC puzzle and thought it would be fun to get a few shots, plus I just like the two different perspectives of him playing!

The Sunday Creative: Perspective, MCP theme: Words

I'm calling this one, you drive me crazy! Because these little suckers do just that, they are everywhere and often find my feet when I least expect it. You'd think by now I'd consider not always going barefoot! My son is always lining them up making rows and patterns, so I thought I would too. Even though they are a hazard to my feet, watching him play with time or seeing them left behind after a day of play always makes me smile!

Challenge/theme: Hearts

I hope you all have wonderful Valentine day weekends! Filled with lots of love from and for all the loved one's in your life! P.S. head on over to Project64: Out of the Box, we just announced a monthly winner and will open the link up on Sunday for your Apricot isnspired photos!

Happy Vday weekend!

Brooke

A little natural light

2011-01-31T13:21:00.000-06:00

In the past I've shown you how I setup my shots and I think all of them were examples of my late night shots using my handy bedside lamp. However, I don't always wait until the late hours of evening to get my shots...actually I typically shoot during the day, utilizing the natural light flooding in my backdoor window. Normally I just use the table cloth on my table as the backdrop, its a nice neutral color and fades quite nicely into the background, but this time I wanted something on a fresh white backdrop, so of course I pull out my handy dandy...FOAM BOARD! I'm telling you this stuff is great and tucks away in my coat closet and is a super cheap way to manipulate light.

So, here is the setup...

Sometimes a little shadow works well with a photo and gives it the creative feel you are going for, but for my photo the natural shadow lost some of the detail on the cars..so I simply used the third piece of foam board (laying under my phone) and placed it on the left side of the cars at an angle to soften the shadow...here is the resulting photo...

Now if you follow the Project64 blog that I host you've seen this gray colored photo, but if you don't follow Project64 you should head on over there and check it out. There are more photos on my color reveal post using the same exact set up, one with more shadow (a result of not using the third piece of foam board). This week we are accepting submissions for robin's egg blue and hunting for gray to share on Sunday. I hope you join us in our colorful journey!

On another note, I received two blogger awards over the last two weeks from two of my favorite bloggers! Tammy Lee Bradley from Bliss and Folly passed the Stylish Blogger Award along to me and Faith from Simplicity awarded me with the Trendy Treehouse Trendy Blogger award! Thank you ladies for including me among a list of wonderful ladies! I am honored and grateful for your kindness!

Well, the rules for the trendy blog award are to tag 10 more bloggers with this award and for the stylish blogger award the rules are 1. Link back to the person who gave you the award, 2. Share seven statements about yourself, and 3.Award fifteen bloggers....

I'm going to modify the rules just a little bit and pass BOTH awards on to 10 bloggers. while I could easily pass this along to many bloggers, several of my favorites were on Tammy and Faith's lists (I linked the post about the awards to their names, so go check out their lists of fabulous bloggers).

Alright, I've linked back to the lovely ladies who awarded me...now seven statements about myself...hmmmmm....

1. I'm a mom to two crazy energetic monkey boys that are both under the age of four and drive me crazy most days, but wouldn't trade being their mother for anything!

2. I'm currently on the road to finally losing four years of to busy to take care of myself my boys are two years apart baby fat before my 10 year high school reunion this summer, wish me luck, there's a lot of neglect to this young body of mine!

3. I'm currently turning my hobby into a business

4. I hate doing dishes and pretend not to see them pile up in the sink

5. I secretly like watching the tv shows meant for kids and tweens

6. I have yet to finish my 2 year old son's baby scrapbook, but have all the pictures printed off

7. I dream of traveling the world, but love cuddling on the couch just the same!

Now, to pass the awards along...some are bloggers I've followed for awhile, but many in my list are new bloggers I found through Project64 that have joined my journey though the crayola box!

ArtsyBelle

Allie Photography

Diane's Everyday Moments

Kristin's Notes

No Wooden Spoons

Katie Lloyd Photography

The Bonnie 5

Home on North Fillmore Street

Traci Lord Photography

Blue Elephant Photography

Hope you all have a great day!

Brooke

A little Valentine fun...

2011-01-25T15:50:00.000-06:00

I have been busy to say the least! We are only 4 weeks in at Project64 and I think it is finally starting to flow a little bit better. Besides trying to get buttons made and answering questions for P64, I've been doing assignments for Faith's Simplicity e-course (which I'm behind in, but almost caught up) and this past weekend I spent the whole day Saturday doing photo shoots!! It's weeks like these, when I have four sessions to edit and a huge to do list that I'm glad I chose to do 52 weeks of photos instead of 365 days!

Well, one of my shoots this past weekend was more of a fun shoot with my beautiful niece. She has become the face of my emerging business. Mostly because she such a good willing model and always up for my crazy ideas and can I say that after I got home and started looking at those photos, that the face of my business is starting to grow up! Its not a bad thing, just one of those things that make you realize you are getting older! Anyway, back to the shoot...we did some fun Valentine photos and I thought I'd share some with you!

This one was my favorite from the session and I'm linking it up with Sweet Shot Tuesdays

Made this for the Vday photo card challenge at Paper Mama, I made some more that were wallet sized for her to pass out as her Valentine's to her friends!

Don't forget to head on over to Project64: Out of the Box, we are accepting submissions for Chestnut and hunting for Robin's Egg Blue! I also made some new buttons for the weekly favorite and monthly winners and we are looking for any sponsors who might have an item or product they'd like to donate for the monthly winner giveaway item.

Hope everyone has a sweet day!

Brooke

A day in the life...

2011-01-19T01:33:00.000-06:00

One of the assignments for my photography SLR e-course was to capture a photo the communicates a day in my life. Well, this the photo I submitted...

My days are filled with little boys and a crazy dog! Oh, and yes, when I took these last week we still had our Christmas tree up, but thanks to a three day weekend and having my hubby home it is now packed away and waiting for next Christmas. For the assignment we were suppose to share one, but with a crazy little boy who runs when the camera comes out, one was out of the question! So I created this little dippy, including our family dog who shortly after had the stuffing from that toy all over the floor!

Well, I had more from that day, so I thought I'd share them here!

The light on our dog Kira was great that day, I couldn't help but get some of her too, after all she's part of the family too! All of these are SOOC, I liked them the way they were so I left them alone, something I'm trying to do more often.

My youngest watching the guys across the street build a new house. Poor little guys is a little under the weather here and his eyes are a little watery, but he's doing better now.

What squirrel!?! Ok maybe that is my trick to getting her to pose, it drives her crazy but it made for a good pic.

Another quick snap of the camera shy little boy! I'm definitely getting faster, it's all about patients and faking him out by making him think I'm taking pictures of the dog.

I love these pictures, they are definitely real, no posing here, well except for Kira looking for that squirrel. The are SOOC and moment from our everyday, playing with hats, watching the builders, hanging out in our pj's, and just taking it easy. These moment make me happy!

That's why I'm linking up with Sweet ShotTuesday's and Simplicity (the challenge is happiness)

Hope you have a great day!
Brooke

Getting back to basics...

2011-01-14T18:04:00.000-06:00

A while back I signed up for Faith Raider's photography e-course, and well, now it's here! It kind of snuck up on me, I had filed away the date in my mind and turned my focus onto lumberjacks, turkeys, monkeys, and jingle bells. Class began this week and so far I've quite enjoyed it!

I like that, even though I have a pretty good grasp on ISO, shutter speed and aperture and it's relation to a good photo, the class has made me slow down and ACTUALLY pay attention. Making me slow down and get the best picture I can in camera...

Well, I just thought I'd share one of my pictures from this week in a little side by side comparison...

For the class we only submit the SOOC version, but I loved the picture so much I just wanted to give it a little tweak...and honestly I really did only tweak it slightly. I gave it a PW boost and lowered the zing layer to 20% opacity then gave it a little PW lovely action at 20%opacity, that's it, oh and I cropped it slightly.

Then I thought, "Hey, I haven't don't a texture in awhile"...so here's the textured version!

Here is my SOOC collage I submitted for my homework

And a few more edited versions of my favorite images from my session with our beat up pear

So there you are! Hope you are having a great week! Don't forget about Project64:Out of the Box, we will be sharing our Carnation pink photo finds and open the linky for you to share yours on Sunday. We will also be featuring our favorite Yellow Green from the submission last Sunday!

Out of the Box: Yellow Green

2011-01-11T01:03:00.000-06:00

Project64: Out of the Box is officially started! If you haven't heard about it you can read about it here...

This week our color was Yellow Green...

I hunted for my color everywhere, came up with a couple of ideas, but when I went over to my parents house to help celebrate my mom's birthday, there was a bunch of limes whose rind wasn't quite colored right. Almost like they were faded and it just so happened the color was pretty darn close to yellow green. Good thing my dad ALWAYS has limes on hand!

So, what do you think? I've been playing around with light and solid color backgrounds lately and I liked how this one turned out...I liked the moody shadows that fade into the background.

I thought I'd share my set-up again, don't mind my messy desk or the bad photos of the set-up. The setup below is the exact environmental settings I used to take the lime pictures. It was night and the only other light available was the light from the ceiling fan. Just like my pictures of the box of crayons, I did not use a flash on the lime photo, just the lamp you see here. The first photo I took of the lime had super dark shadows, so I used the white foam board to bounce some light onto the left side.

I took the pictures straight on and I used my 35mm 1.8 set at f/2.4, 1/30 shutter, ISO200. I used the Incandescent White Balance setting. In Elements I did a little contrast boost and slightly faded the surface under the lime into the background.

So there you go, I am really having fun experimenting with light, so this week I choose my lime photo as my sweet shot for Sweet Shot Tuesdays! Also, don't forget Darcy is hosting a group on Flickr for those who are attempting to complete a 52 week project. I'm one of the moderators, so if you've already joined the group I may have already left you some love on your photo!

If you have a Yellow Green photo to share you can link it up until Saturday over at Project64's blog.

The new color for week two is Carnation Pink and the linky for it will open up on Sunday, Jan. 16th, 2011. If you need a visual for the color head on over here.

Hope everyone has a great day!
Brooke

First snow

2011-01-10T01:34:00.001-06:00

Our first snow finally arrived! I know we are behind alot of you out there, but our poor state is a little slow when it comes to winter weather. While I hope it doesn't turn bad, it truly was a beautiful thing to watch while cuddled up on the couch. Me and my little family spent most of the afternoon watching the large fluffy flakes twirl and dance as they fell from the sky. It wasn't a heavy snowfall, so we had to wait awhile for the fluffy stuff to start to show it's white blanket on the ground. There is something kind of cozy about spending a Sunday afternoon in your pj's with your family while the snow quietly falls.

Some good quotes I found about snow, just thought I'd share...

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.” -John Ruskin

"Kindness is like snow-it beautifies everything it covers"

"The first fall of snow is not only an event, it is a magical event"

"When it snows, you have two choice: shovel or make snow angels"

"The future lies before you, like paths of pure white snow. Be careful how you tread it, for every step will show."

Project64: Up and running!

2011-01-09T15:12:00.000-06:00

Just stopping in to let you all know that Project64 is up and running! We have posted our first weeks photos and the linky is open so you can share yours too!

Creatures, past and present...

2011-01-07T15:30:00.000-06:00

The upcoming theme over at Mortal Muses gave me a chance to feature some pictures that I rarely share and blog about. All the creatures big and small that I've come across since I started on this digital photography journey.

Some I meet at the zoo when my lovely Nikon first entered my life...

Others were late night visitors in my garden...

Some were sunbathing on my back porch...

Some are recent finds we found during our visit to the aquarium...

Then there is a familiar face, name unknown, that stops by for a visit when we go out to play...

And of course, there is the warm little body I kick out bed every morning, who strings animal stuffing all over my living room floor, greets us with wagging tail when we return home, and is loved by the whole family.

Don't for get to head on over the Mortal Muses to see their musings. Also if you want to see some more creature features or submit your own then head on over to their flickr group.

Have a great day

Brooke

White on White Flourish

2011-01-05T01:54:00.000-06:00

Just wanted to participate with Faith over at Simplicity and Meagan over at Madeline Bea. The photos challenge over at Simplicity is "white on white" and The Sunday Creative prompt is "flourish". Well it just so happens I have a cute little white Fleur de lis that fits the noun part of the definition of flourish...an ornamental touch or decorative detail. Here's my take!

Be sure to check out the other entries here:

I also wanted to share/participate in something I read tonight over at Ramblings and Photos by Ashley Sisk...Its about paying it forward and I think we all need to a little more of that! This particular pay it forward idea originated here, now I'd like to follow Ambrosia and Ashley's lead! Here's the details

Pay it forward 2011: I promise to send something handmade to the first 3 people who leave a comment here.

To be eligible, you must also post this in your blog,offering the same thing to 3 other people.

The rules are that it must be handmade by you and it must be sent to your 3 people *sometime* in 2011.

I will try to get all my stuff (most likely a print or set of note cards made from my photos)

out by the end of January but definitely no later than the end of February

at the latest so that I don't forget about it!I suggest if you are playing along you give yourself an

approximate *due by* date so the people that signed up aren't waiting terribly long.

I think this is a great project and hope you join in! Ready, set, GO!

Have a great day,

Brooke

P.S. I decided to add a weekly linky to project64 page for those of you who might want to join our colorful journey...all the details can be found here:

I've decided on a project!

2011-01-04T14:59:00.000-06:00

Well, blog friends I've finally decided what on a project for the year...well a little over a year. I've decided to take a box of 64 count crayons and be inspired! I have a few friends going on the journey with me, at one point in time we all shared our hometown, now some are still there and others are scattered across the map. So we've started a blog to track our journey, you can learn more about the project and journey here:

So even though my journey is going to total 64 weeks, I plan on linking up with the flickr group m3b p52, a project 52 group started by Darcy @ My 3 Boybarians, also the host of Sweet Shot Tuesdays. You can read more about Darcy's Project52 here:

I chose project52/project64 because I wanted a yearlong project that would allow me to continue to participate in all the lovely photo assignments and my own projects I have going on. I wanted something that was achievable...I didn't want to find myself disappointed in myself if I failed 100 days down the road. I wanted something that wouldn't be come task like and monotonous, I wanted something that kept me shooting not dreading getting a shoot for the day. Something I could focus on perfecting my skills, giving me time to set up shots and take my time. Not finding myself at the end of the day scrambling for a subject to shoot with no light!

Speaking of no light, last night is a perfect example of why I wanted to do a less demanding project. Although, I was able to get some great shots with no natural night. It was just the situation of me at a deadline needing to make a decision. I didn't want to feel this way for 365 days! Once a week is good enough for me! So, my pictures...the following pictures were taken with completely artificial light, no beautiful natural light streaming through the windows, no flash...just a lamp, white foam board and a homemade reflector.

Here's the set-up I used ( I took these this morning after I decided I wanted to share it with you)

This is my homemade reflector, I made it out of foam core board and a crinkled up emergency blanket you can find in the camping section. It was very noisy project, but these reflectors work quite well. I have one that is on white foam board, I use the white side when I need subtle reflection and I have one on black foam board, which comes in handy if you need to get rid of some light or just block light.

This is my mini set-up that I used to take the pictures below, of course it was completely dark outside when I took them, so the only light sources I used were the lamp you see here and the light from the ceiling fan. I just used the reflector to add more light from the lamp to my subject.

Again all artificial light, but no flash...I used my 35mm lens switching between f/3 and f/4, ISO 200, I think the big key here was that I set my own white balance, instead of using a preset WB or auto WB.

I did the same to all the pics on PSE, I added a little contrast, a little deep pop and the I added a denim vintage color effect to it. Just some slight tweaking, the light and white balance were unchanged in post-processing

I'm really excited about this project, just look at all those colors!

BTW I'm linking this picture up at Sweet Shot Tuesdays over at My3Boybarians! I was pretty proud of

myself for getting a great artificially lit picture!

Hope you have a colorful week!

Brooke

Another door opens....

2010-12-31T16:19:00.001-06:00

Isn’t that how the saying goes? When one door closes another one opens? Well the door on 2010 is about to close and the door to 2011 is about to be flung wide open! This year truly did fly by, as I’m in the process of making photo book of my family’s year, it seems like we just experienced those things yesterday!

Just look how much my boys have changed in just the course of a year

It’s amazing when you look back and compare the change side by side!

My boys aren’t the only ones that have grown this year, I have too! It was at the beginning of 2010 when I decided to dive back into the world of photography and explore my passion! I have learned so much this year and with every month that passes by come closer and closer to the person I want to be, creatively at least.

I guess the word that best fits for 2010 is Growth...

The growth in my life has been good, I have succeeded and failed and grown from it all! Seeing my boys physically grow and their personalities sprout has been rewarding. But with all things that grow, when left untamed it can quickly become overgrown and wild! So, my word for 2011 is FOCUS!

Adding more focus to my creativity, giving it direction. Helping my boys focus on learning and developing their minds and manners as we delve into the world of homeschooling! More focus on completing task and goals. More focus on family and getting distractions out of the way. More focus on getting healthy!

As I said in my previous post, I am planning on attempting another 365 project or similar photo project, I sort of lost focus on it when life started getting crazy! This year, I’d like to complete it, I also have another project I would like to work on, but I’ll save discussion of it for a later date, but I am super excited about it! I did however complete half of my 365 for 2010. Here are a few of my favorites from my first attempt at 365...150??

I hope you all have a great year and wish you the best in achieving your New Year’s goals!

Brooke

P.S. I've linked this post up with Meagan over at Madelinebea for her 365 check-in

Monochromatic Inspiration

2010-12-29T17:36:00.000-06:00

The last few weeks the muses have been musing on the holidays and related themes,and still are if you would like to join in, however, I noticed the muses are musing on MONOCHROMATIC COLOR , when the new year rolls in So, I thought I'd move on to the new theme since I have some pics to share that fit the theme! Don't forget to check out the Mortal Muses blog for current theme and their Flickr pool to share it!

Believe it or not, I took these just last week, its not looking much like winter here, the winter looking scenery usually comes with the new year!

Speaking of the New Year, is anyone else starting a photo project in 2011?? What are you doing? 365 project? 52 weeks? Daily prompts? I'm interested in your suggestions and ideas, I've been thinking about giving the 365 thing another try since hospital visits and party planning interrupted mine this year! I've also been throwing around the idea of a project I read about at The Maternal Lens, 31 Strangers in 31 Days, or a variation of the idea. It would be definitely challenge given my introverted personality, but a challenge full of reward I think and a good lesson on trying new things, both a nice way to start the new year!

I know alot of you have or are getting ready to embark on a photographic journey...but if you haven't I suggest that you do, they time I did spend doing my 365 project this year was very rewarding. I learned alot about myself, improved upon my photographic ability and found myself artistically. If you are planning on starting a photo project in 2011, I suggest you start a blog (if you don't already have one) or an account on flickr. There is a great world of creativity, inspiration and artistic support out here! Most everyone is nice and willing to help or learn along with you!

I really am interested in YOUR ideas and suggestions on photo projects for 2011...but, here are few links that have some great info and inspiration if you are thinking about starting a photo project as 2011 rolls in!

If you just want to take it week by week, there are some great weekly word prompt blogs and link ups out there, having a weekly word prompt helps when you have a creative slump and can make you think outside the box! My favorites are The Sunday Creative and Mortal Muses

The Daily Shoot is a great source of inspiration you can print a list off containing prompts or assignments when you need inspiration or you can also go their twitter site and subscribe to updates to be sent to your phone and always have a prompt everyday!

Meagan over at madelinebea has a list of fellow 365er's, which I am a part of and you can be too! You can find a very supportive community there and check out what everyone else is doing!

You can find groups on Flickr to share work such as a group for people doing 52 week projects or 365 week projects. There are tons of groups just search the groups, but be sure to read the groups rules!

Shutter Sisters offer 365 sharing and inspiration as well as monthly word prompts for a One Word Project...You can find additional 365 help, prompts, and articles on starting a 365 project here and here

A few more links: Photo project ideas, 7 photography projects to jump start your creativity, and a different kind of project.

And at last, if you want to add some color to a photo project, why not use your crayola box for inspiration! There is a flickr group called sixty-four colors dedicated to such a project and a blog too!

Well, there you go, there is my part in helping to inspire you! Now what ideas do you have? Also, I just wanted to say, for those of you intimidated by all the fancy cameras out here, you don't have to have a DSLR to start a photo project just a passion for photography and a want to better your skills, even if you just have a point and shoot camera! As a matter of fact, most point and shoots have manual settings that you can use to give more photographic technique practice!

So, please be inspired or share some inspiration! Let's help each other out and share some ideas! I hope you all have an inspiring 2011!!!

Sweets!

2010-12-20T23:29:00.000-06:00

The Mortal Muses are musing on the holidays through Jan. 1st, today's prompt is SWEETS and it couldn't of been on a better day! Today I spent most of the day making some candy cane cocoa for our neighbors, using some jars I've been saving after all the pasta sauce is gone! I try to do a little something for the neighbors every year and once all the jars were all decorated they looked so cute! I also have been wanting some shots of the traditional candy cane, a little cliche I know, but I wanted some shots anyway! So, here are my sweets!

Head on over to The Mortal Muses to view the other holiday submissions and to link up your own!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland, Sort of...

2010-12-20T03:35:00.001-06:00

pliWinter is here, the temperature is dropping and we aren't exactly walking in winter wonderland of snow, but we have pulled out the stocking caps and hooded shirts! I personally like the smell of crisp cold air, it just seems cleaner and fresher. Granted I could do with out all this wind, but the cooler weather means rosy noses, snuggling and that feeling you get when go from cold to toasty! Even though everyone is cold they all seem just a little bit happier!

The theme over at The Paper Mama is Winter and I thought these pictures of my boys working their winter attire would be perfect...well winter attire for those of use who have milder winters that is and are crossing their fingers for no ice storms in 2011, I don't know if our trees can take another one!

My youngest and his stocking cap his uncle got him during his trip to Peru, I love this picture even though he look like "really mom, another picture!" He's just so darn cute!

My oldest prefers hoodies and looks pretty cute in them! I can't believe he just turned four!!! They grow up too fast!

Head on over to The Paper Mama to check out the other submissions and to link up your own entry!

Also, the theme over at Simplicity is Simple Beauty, there is just something beautiful about my kiddos and their smiles. The way they can make me laugh and smile when I'm having a bad day! So my simple beauty is that smile my little boys face! Link up your simple beauty over at Simplicity!

The Journey

2010-12-18T22:46:00.000-06:00

I was not going to link up today over at the Mortal Muses, today was my youngest son's second birthday party! However, I peeked at the prompt in a quick moment I had, I came up with a few ideas of what I wanted to do, somehow portraying all our personal travels during the holidays and the amount of time we spend on the road, but the journey of the three wise men just kept coming back to me. Luckily my mother-in-law has a beautiful nativity set that worked quite well. Plus, it's nice to be reminded why our family celebrates Christmas, it can get lost sometimes amongst all the glitz and glitter of the holidays.

This is my entry today for the prompt, JOURNEY, over at the Mortal Muses. Head on over to link up or check out the other entries! Have a great weekend everybody!

Oh the Bokeh!

2010-12-10T01:51:00.000-06:00

Today I wanted to start my post with a little bit of sparkle! A little bit of holiday bokeh to be exact! Did you know that there is a Holiday Bokeh Party going on over at Life with my 3 Boybarians?? I'm sharing my holiday bokeh over at the party and you should too! Or you can just head on over and look at all the gorgeous sparkle!

I actually took this first one before I heard about the bokeh party because I couldn't resist getting a little bit of Christmas tree bokeh this Christmas!

This second one I took before dinner! I just love this Christmas bell and thought it would be a good subject! Hope you enjoy!

Peace....

2010-12-08T23:22:00.000-06:00

Today I decided to participate in 'Twas the write before Christmas' over at Bigger Picture Blogs. Today is day three of a week of holiday prompts. You can choose to interpret it however you please, writing, crafting or in my case photography. I missed the first two days, but it is set up to join in at anytime!

Today's prompt was a song by Casting Crowns-"I heard the bells on Christmas". It is a beautiful song and you all should go over and take a listen!

So, while I was listening to the song I decided to stop all my chores to really focus on the song. While I could interpret this song in sooo many beautiful ways, the word peace, angelically sung by a choir, kept making it's way to my thoughts. There are so many positive things about the holiday season and for me these make my Christmas enjoyable and peaceful! Its easy to get got up in all the stress, but when you chose to focus on the positive and soak up the joy and remember the reason for season, we can all have a little peace, if not on earth, in our hearts!

The word peace makes me think of silver, light and airy, calm...This is what I came up with...

While I was shooting this series of pictures I decided I liked the top photo in the collage as an interpretation of the prompt over at The Sunday Creative, you can see it again below...The word this week is Frozen, while I would like to get some pictures of snow or ice, here in the Southern end of Central North America we have yet to see anything that resembles snow, just wind! I could have went deeper and got some beautiful set up shot with a model...but, I like this picture for the prompt for lots of reasons. First of all it is part of a small decorative tree I have that is suppose to look like an iced over tree, so it looks like ice. Plus the prompt frozen again makes me think silver, light, clear, all which I think you get from this picture. But, most of all I like the memories flood back every time I unpack it from the Christmas box...I got this tree right after I found out I was pregnant with my first child...a lot was going on then, transitioning from college student and wife to just wife then wife and mother. You could see the transitions in all aspects of my life including my decor, from dorm worthy decor to more sophisticated pieces...This piece was one of my first "grown-up" looking Christmas pieces. Four years later, I still bring it out every Christmas, a little reminder of moments passed!

Well, I hope you all enjoyed my interpretations of the prompts and I hope you all head on over and join in!

Diptych fun!

2010-12-02T20:25:00.001-06:00

It's been way to long since I've participated in all the wonderful creative groups out here! I saw that the mortal muses' were having some fun with diptych and triptych and couldn't help but join in the fun! I made a several, but these were my favorite three! That's all for today, but now that I got the itch to join in on the photo challenges again, I might be back soon!

I love butterflies! I think I have like a zillion photos of them, well maybe not a zillion,but definately a lot! These shots are some of my fav, this particular day the butterfly let me get super close!

I love, love lemons! Don't they make you miss summer? That why I thought I'd use this one for Simplicity's photo challenge, Dreaming of Summer

I love the fair! For me it's the kick start of fall, my favorite season!

Go join the fun over at mortal muses

and the challenges at Simplicity

Spreading the News {Huge Giveaway}

2010-11-29T09:36:00.000-06:00

Hope you all had a great thanksgiving holiday, I know Idid! Just thought I'd stop in and share a little bit of information with you and let you all know that there is a HUGE, I mean HUGE, giveaway at Laura Winslow's Photography blog!

She's calling it her favorite things giveaway there is over $2000 worth of great items from 59 shops, but there is only one winner! It started today and ends Dec 7th so hurry on over there and enter!
Laura Winslow Photography

A quick Hello!

2010-11-15T03:49:00.000-06:00

It's been awhile since I've posted anything, we've had a lot going on these days! Once our family ventures into October and the fall season things start getting a little crazy! Adding photo sessions to the mix has only made it crazier! I've been busy to say the least! Taking pictures, ordering pictures, planning a lumberjack birthday party...wait...what...Yes, a lumberjack birthday party! The reason I just had to write this post! Among all the busyness are both my son's birthdays (right around the holidays, crazy huh?) and my oldest son wanted a lumberjack birthday party. I tried and tired and tired to get him to pick something normal, like Thomas The Train or Go Diego Go, but he insisted on making mommy put on her thinking cap and get creative amongst all her busyness...after all they do not have a lumberjack section at the party store.

Timber! Watch out, this is where the gifts may fall!

My dad wanted to join the fun and showed up dressed like a lumberjack!

My oldest really enjoyed the party, especially getting to play his lumberjack game on the wii

Thank goodness for Old Navy and their fleece throws, it made the perfect table cover

I kept tradition and made the cake for the fourth year in a row...some lumberjack plaid and a tree stump, oh and of course, what is a lumberjack without his axe!

Later into the party we all had a little fun with the camera! We had plaid hats, scarfs, lumberjack beards and an old picture frame...and a lot of great lumberjack fun shots!

Some graphics, ribbon, scrapbook paper and poster board and you've got some party decorations

Homemade banner, thought the log letters added just the right touch!

Made a few log pillows for the "log toss", they were a hit!

A pile of twigs for balloon weights, brown paper bags with plaid ribbon and a custom Thank You tags to complete the theme!

We all had a great time! It all turned out so much better than I imagined and everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the birthday boy! So, I'm headed back into my busy world, but I'll be back to share my youngest one's birthday party...a yay I'm two monkey party! Thanks for letting me share with you and I hope you all have great holidays!

A lot of thinking going on...

2010-10-18T11:41:00.000-05:00

These past few weeks have been crazy to say the least! I find myself these days struggling to balance my family, my passion, and my emerging business. While I'm not an official business yet, I'm headed down that road. It's been a whirlwind of emotion trying to keep my hobby a passion while still trying to make a living with it as well! I have found myself a little uninspired the past few weeks and I've been putting off sharing anything here simply because I just wasn't to happy with it. On the other side of things, I've managed to direct my inspiration to my portraits and got some great shots this past week! So, as I try to figure out this balancing act, I've decided to take a little of the pressure away...I'm not going away completely, but I am going to spend a little less time out here in blog world, specifically in groups and challenges....I still plan on sharing my favorite shots of the month and my 365 for the month, so I'll at least post twice a month! I love seeing all your work and hearing your comments about mine, so I'll still be around, just not as much! Hopefully by the beginning of the new year I'll be closer to being balanced and ready for some more challenges, plus I'll be participating in Faith's Simplicity DLSR class in January, maybe I'll see some of you there!

The begining of it all...

2010-10-03T02:09:00.000-05:00

I bought my DSLR at the beginning of this year...in March to be exact. I remember my nights scouring the Internet for tips, reviews and prices to find just the right camera. How much did I want to spend, how big did I want it to be, Canon vs. Nikon…you get the idea. Finally, I decided...I picked the Nikon D5000, excitedly ordered and waited for its arrival! When the knock on the door finally came, my heart sang with excitement! I tore the tape of the box quickly found the charger and battery and started getting some juice to those batteries! Meanwhile I admired my new baby and waited in anticipation for the light on the charger to quit blinking. I did chores to keep busy, sneaking glances at the flashing light as I passed through the kitchen with loads of laundry. Then it stopped, the light stayed constant! It was time! Click, click, click! Before I knew it I was on my way to filling up my 1GB memory card and knew a larger one would end up on my shopping list in the very near future! My first shots were of my boys, my youngest trapped in his high chair and my oldest running away from the strange contraption I was pointing at him! Over the last several months I have grown tremendously! I've participated in challenges, entered competitions, made some cash off my hobby and started a photographic journey to 365 days of photos! Today, eh, tonight, this morning, I don't know its super late, early?? I wanted to share my first shots from my camera in addition to my favorite 365 photos from the month of September! It’s been a crazy journey, but I’ve loved every minute of it!

The next four shots were some of my first shots ever with my new camera, I have always dappled in photography and have had a passion for it, but it had been on the back burner for quite awhile. So when I picked up the camera and got these shots of my boys, the fire was lit once again! Since those first awkward days of finding my new place and warming up to the title "photographer", my passion has only grown and I become more and more comfortable in this new skin!

{I'm using this shot for the Paper Mama Challenge, Confusion}

Now on to my 365 day photographic journey! September has been quite a month, surgeries, photo shoots, recovering from surgery...this month has been crazy to say the least! I wasn't on my "A" game much this month, I've been focusing my craft elsewhere and this months crop of photos haven't been my favorite. However, I managed to get a few shots I like!

I've already shared in previous posts most of my 365 photos here and here...So, here is the rest of the month...I think I'm missing two pictures, as far as posting goes, but hopefully I'll be able to get them all posted to my Flickr 365 Gallery soon. The button to my 365 gallery on Flickr in is my sidebar.

As you can see lots of low light situation, result of near forgotten photos! I didn't take alot of time to set up or "stage" any photos. Oh well, we learn from our bad days, right? Have a great day!

Brooke

Blog for Your Breast Day-Write Pink

2010-10-01T12:18:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Hyacynth over at Undercover Mother emailed me and asked if I would be interested in designing a button for a breast cancer awareness campaign she and the other founders of Bigger Picture Blogs were putting together. Of course I accepted and got busy making examples to share with her, after all it's for a great cause!

Fortunately, my family has never been faced with breast cancer directly, however, I have had co-workers, church members and friends who have. You might be like me and never been directly affected by breast cancer, but it doesn't mean we don't need to stay informed about it. I am a woman after all and I only benefit from knowing about my own body and the things that could effect it. So educate yourself, learn about breast cancer prevention and keep yourself healthy! That is one of the goals of "The Army of Women", stop it before it starts. If you want to know more about breast cancer, blog about your own story, or read others stories head on over to bigger picture blogs and the founders blogs and start reading! You can also head on over the "The Army of Women" site and read about their cause...

During the month of October, the Bigger Picture Blogs community is writing stories. Stories of survival and of loss. Stories of education, support, and prevention. Stories for mothers and daughters, sisters and wives, friends and grandmothers, aunts and nieces. We're writing Pink for every person who has known breast cancer too well. And we're writing pink in hopes that no one will ever have to write pink for you.

Please join Bigger Picture Blogs today as we kick off Write Pink! from the Head, Heart and Feet by teaming up with Army of Women and bloggers everywhere to Blog for our Breasts.

The Love/Avon Army of Women offers women the opportunity to partner with the scientists who are conducting research that will end this disease--once and for all. Our revolutionary initiative has two key goals:

1.to recruit one million healthy women of every age and ethnicity, including breast cancer survivors and women at high-risk for the disease, to partner with breast cancer researchers and directly participate in the research that will eradicate breast cancer once and for all.

2.To challenge the scientific community to expand its current focus to include breast cancer prevention research conducted on healthy women

I Love Fall

2010-09-29T21:29:00.000-05:00

Just thought I'd write a quick post and share a few images from my fall collection. I'm selling these photos as 5x7, 8x10, 11x14(mounted) prints and as a set of 5 post cards. You can see the complete collection here on my facebook page. Just email me if you are interested in ordering!

On another note, I'd like to share with you a giveaway The Maternal Lens is having! They are giving away a mentoring session with Crave Photography! Head on over to The Maternal Lens for details. Here are all the links that you need:

The Maternal Lens
Crave Photography on Facebook
Crave Photography the Blog
and
My Facebook Page (I'll be sharing the news there too!)

Excuse the Mess

2010-09-29T11:45:00.000-05:00

Excuse the mess I'm trying to make up my indecisive mind! Hopefully I'll be done moving things around soon!

Have a happy day!
Brooke

Happy Days

2010-09-28T12:25:00.000-05:00

I took these photos last week and never got around to sharing them. It was my grandma's birthday and being that we are on a tight budget, I had to be creative for a birthday gift idea. So, I decided to make my grandma a collage of her grandkids...sorry, GREAT grandkids! The only problem, I had no recent shots of my oldest, most are of the back of his head or his profile as he zooms by! The rest of my photos of him are of his eye as he peeks through his hands or around the couch, since he runs when the camera comes out. So, I threw on the boys red polos, my grandma's favorite color, crossed my fingers and started snapping. OK, I'll admit, I did have to bribe my oldest and promise an hour of wii video games, but I did get some great shots! It also helped that it was a happy day it made the smiles come easy and made the our impromtu shoot enjoyable instead of frustrating! The best kind of shoots! I love these photos of my boys and are my favorite from last week, so, I'm using them for sweet shot tuesdays and since I love color fading my my pictures I thought I'd use the one of my youngest for the paper mama photos challenge a touch of color!

{No smile, but he IS looking at the camera!}

{Always smiles with my youngest!}

{A Smile! I think he's just happy he gets to play wii! My Sweet Shot Tuesday pick!}

{My entry for a 'Hint of Color' at Paper Mama photo challenge}

Check out more sweet shots

Join the photo challenge at Paper Mama

Have a great day,

Brooke

My New Toy and Some Blog Lovin'

2010-09-27T10:54:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago I broke down and ordered some new lenses I've been eyeing for awhile. I love my new 55-200mm and have already used it on several occasions! My other lens, is a 50mm...I love this lens too, however, being a little rushed and trying to order while refereeing brotherly brawls I wasn't paying attention and ordered the wrong one. It's not wrong in the sense it doesn't fit with my camera, it just wasn't the one I intended to purchase. While I switch between Manual and Aperture priority settings I am guilty of using my auto focus primarily, mostly due to my bulky scratched glasses distorting my perception of a sharp image. This is where my slight disappointment came from when my lens came in this week. While I'm still able to use my new lens, I am only able to us it as manual focus lens, no automatic focus settings. So, I've been contemplating exchanging it for a 35mm...decisions. Challenge myself and master the manual focus and already have the lens that will work to its full capabilities when I upgrade to a D90 (hopefully after tax season!) or exchange for the 'easier' option......Well, I decided take a few shots to try and get the feel for my new toy. All these are SOOC, I refrained myself from any edits as to get the actual results from my lens.

She looks so serious, this lens is very precise and a slight movement would of had her nos in focus instead

This lens had great selective focus, wish the out of focus area was a little smoother and less noisy...

She is watching for squirrels and birds

I've noticed with this lens I really have to play around with the aperture to get the look I want and be careful not to be too selective in my focusing, plus the noise in the background turned out smoother.

Not as sharp as I was wanting, like I said, I am extremely slow at manually focusing on my subject and my little on is extremely wiggly! But I like the softness this lens gives to his dirty little face! Even if I did chop off all his beautiful shaggy hair! Never again!

So, I'm still toying with the idea of exchanging my little toy...haven't quite decided. I'd love to hear any of your advice! How do you guys shoot? Auto focus or Manual? Manual settings or Aperture Priority or Full Auto? What is the lens you can't live without???

On a side note, a few weeks ago the talented Kristine from Blue Elephant Photography passed on a cute little blog award on to me! However, I was preparing for my surgery and getting things ready around my house, since my boys and hubby would be fending for themselves for a few weeks due to my restrictions of activities and never got the chance to thank her and pass on the love. So, thank you Kristine for the award and thinking of me! I love your blog as well and enjoy seeing your work, you are one talented gal! One of these days we will definitely have to grab that cup of coffee! You can read her blog love post here and see the other blogs she loves!

So, to pass on the love...I'm suppose to pass this award onto five blogs I heart! There are so many, but here are the five I picked today! They are all so talented and take gorgeous pictures,each with their own style! Be sure to check them out!

Stephanie from Home on North Fillmore Street
Maureen from Cottage 960
Danelle from I Take Pictures
Kristin from Freebird Photoblog
Traci from Traci Lord Photography

Before I finish this blog I'd just like to let you know I have some exciting news to share with you soon so stay tuned! Also, I've had my a/c turned off for two days and love the chill in the air! I love fall and plan on sharing my Fall collection of images with you soon! Lastly, I would honestly love to hear your thoughts on the lens Dilemma!

Have a great day!
Brooke

A Weekend of Sun...

2010-09-20T13:14:00.000-05:00

Well...Sunflowers...

This weekend was HOT HOT HOT, the humidity was crazy and the sweat just poured, but all the beautiful sunflowers seemed to thrive in the heat and gorgeous sunlight! I have been admiring this brilliant little flowers scattered along the side of the road, making our journey just a little bit brighter. They were everywhere and I just couldn't help but to stop and try to capture them and their sunny little faces! So, this weekend I decided to stop and smell the....sunflowers...and my son and I even picked a few! So, despite the heat it was a beautiful weekend! Hope you all had a great weekend too!

Right before sunset and was able to catch some nice warm light!

{Day 101 of 365}

I liked this shot...a delicate flower growing next to sharp barbed wire, plus you can see all the other flowers scattered in the background

I only got one on Saturday, we had birthdays and ballgames, so only time for one quick shot, good think it turned out! {Day 102 of 365}

On Sunday my oldest son and I went in search for a place to pick some sunflowers and bring them back home to his Nana!

How can you resist taking some shots when your mother-in-law has a great faded barn backdrop and great antique containers to use as props!

My favorite from Sunday and the weekend {Day 103 of 365}

Hope you all had a great weekend and that your week ahead is wonderful too!

Brooke

100 Days of Photos!

2010-09-17T12:31:00.000-05:00

Well, its official...I have been on this 365 day journey for 100 days now! Well 101 today, but, I didn't get a chance to post this yesterday... This journey has had its ups and downs and there have been many days I've almost forgot to get a shot for the day and had to improvise or compromise creativity in order to have the photo for the day. All in all it's been very fulfilling, I've seen myself grow and I've seen my photography get better, I've stretched myself creativity and succeeded and I've also failed. But, I've learned, which was my goal when I took on this project. So, yesterday I had an idea in mind to commemorate my 100th day and ended up taking a series of photos, so I collaged them all up and thought I'd share with you! While I’m sharing and I have yet to share anything from this month I thought I'd share what I have for the month of September so far! I've been taking this journey month by month and I know that is the only way I've reach 100 photos...To all of you partaking in this journey I've enjoyed seeing your work and I wish you well as we all forge on ahead and get closer picture by picture to 365!

To see more collages of my journey and some of my thoughts visit my 365 page here on my blog

Visit my 365 gallery on Flickr and see all my photos from my 365 day journey in their full size

Have a great day!

Brooke

It's official I made a decision!

2010-09-14T11:08:00.000-05:00

Well, I've been thinking about for months now, gathering opinions of those around me, watching views and comments on my flickr account, and holding voting contest on my facebook page...I've made a decision on what images I am going to enter into the fair. A few a picked because they were fan favorites, others I just went with my heart since they had a place there.

So, since I'm getting ready to display them for my great state to see I thought I'd post them for the world to see as well. After all what is the point of being a photographer and artist is you don't share your work and heart?

I entered six categories three enhanced categories and three amateur categories which require sooc images, good thing I got smart and started to remember to keep my original file, why I wasn't doing that in the beginning I don't know...anyway here they are!

First up Portraits, both of these photos I picked were from my favorite sessions and both just for fun 'practice' sessions. Even so, I love these two portraits!

This first one is my enhanced portrait, I could of used it for my unenhanced one, but I just love the soft faded look and vintage feel in this version of it. There was another one from this session that was an alternative option and was a family favorite, but this is one of those that spoke to me as a photographer, so it won!

My second portrait is my SOOC pick. This was one of those that was a fan favorite, I had another one from this session that I just loved, but, after matting and looking at it from far away my fans were right, this was more eye catching and it was my second favorite. I loved this session and thought they would be best for the unenhanced category since I loved them the second I took them, they only got better with minor enhancements! So This is pick number two!

Next up the miscellaneous category. This category is so vague, so I just used it as a chance to enter some of my favorites...

This is my SOOC entry for this category, I actually love all the photos from this series of photos, but this is the one that I was most drawn to and looked best after being matted!

This one is my enhanced entry, didn't enhance it to much, just a little levels balancing and a slight color pop...This was one that was a heart choice, I had another one of my cherry pictures in the running to be picked and the majority preferred it over this one. However, this one just kept speaking to me and it also speaks 'me'...So, this time heart won!

Of course everyone has a flower entry...

This entry is SOOC and is a heart winner. I took this photo on a whim while out garage sale hopping and fell in love with it. It is my favorite photo I've taken. It's not always a fan favorite, but it's my favorite. This has even been blown up and displayed as art in my sister's house, so it's at least one fan's favorite! Thinking I might blow it up too for my house!

My final entry fits in the candid category...

Of course I like this photo, after all my adorable youngest son is in it. But, it's not my favorite and I'm now completely happy with it...However, it's a fan favorite and I think I got out numbered for my final selection! So, here is my enhanced candid entry.

So, here they are, not necessarily the best, but the favorites! Thanks for letting me share my hearts work with you!

Have a great day everyone!

Brooke

All rolled up in one package...

2010-09-10T17:15:00.008-05:00

Well, I am finally back! Between recovering from my surgery and having issues with blogger, I am finally able to post something! Has anyone else been having issues with blogger??? OK, on with my post...Things have been a little crazy around here! Our life has been turned inside out and upside down, I'm having to learn how to accept the help of others and let my family do things for me! Which is a hard task, when I 'm just use to doing it all myself. I'm learning not to feel guilty for accepting all the help I've been given and instead just be grateful! I am grateful, very grateful! I have been very blessed to be able to have my mom and husband here by my side, helping me keep my house in order and my children happy! If it wasn't for them, I'd be very tired and very stressed and my house would be quickly piling up with things to do! It has been beyond hard to hear my little boys ask for me to hold them and have to tell them no, their little minds not being able to understand my inability to physically hold them. So I have to wait, wait for someone to help them on the couch to sit next to me. But, it's only for a short time and soon I will be good as new! I just keep reminding myself,the closer I follow doctors orders, the faster I heal and I avoid anymore trips to the surgery room! All this craziness has made me realize that things have got to change, especially with my lifestyle habits. So, as soon as I am released to do something other than walk, things are changing around here. Our family is going to attempt ignore all our southern family food traditions and start eating better! We are going to need your help and encouragement too, its hard when every time you visit with family(which is about every weekend) attempting to find something is not fried is quite daunting!

So, I said I was rolling up things in one package, well I am! Since I've been gone I have missed out on my regular photo challenges and group participation! Well, I've already let you in on my bigger picture moment, now how about some Sweet Shots that also happen to fit the theme for The Sunday Creative!

The weekend before my surgery my family and I went to a few antique malls, a flea market and a quiet little stroll on some land near our house....Well we hit the jackpot! I ran into all kinds of finds this past weekend!

I found an old cardboard suitcase and some weathered books.

I also discovered an old rusty scale that just happens to boast my state's capital on the side!

I added to the pile an old silk and lace dress complete with gloves.

And to just add to the weekend finds, we discovered some gourds growing wild just off the path we choose to walk that evening!

Like I said, a weekend full of great finds, right?? Not to mention I managed to snag all these treasures for around $20! I just loved these shots from my weekend of treasure hunting and if I had not been in surgery on Tuesday I would of posted this next picture for Sweet Shot Tuesday. I thought these shots fit the theme, Timeworn, for The Sunday Creative quite well and I just happened to already have the shots before the theme came up, it just worked out perfect!

I'm glad to be back and sharing all my wonderful finds! Hopefully I can get myself updated on all your wonderful blogs and get back into the swing of things!!!

Don't forget to stop by all the wonderful link-ups I've mentioned in this post!

The Sunday Creative over at Madeline Bea: Life Set to Words

The Bigger Picture Blogs: Hosted this week by Sarah at This Heavenly Life

Sweet Shot Tuesdays

Illuminate {The Sunday Creative: Aug. 29-Sept 4}

2010-08-31T05:08:00.000-05:00

Illuminate: to brighten with light; to light up

Yay, I've finally got my pile of things to do small enough to join in on the fun! I loved this weeks prompt for 'The Sunday Creative', illuminate...once I found out what it was I knew I wanted to use the sun and its rays of light. So, my youngest son and I set out for an evening walk in search of those golden rays that appear just minutes before the sun goes down.

Our wondering feet took us down our gravel road and towards the overgrown dirt road at the end of the street. We like to take this path in hopes of seeing a deer or two and pretend we are explorers discovering the unknown, although it starts to get a little secluded so we usually keep our discoveries to the familiar and within sight of the gravel road.

It was on the little dirt path I found several spider webs weaved onto some weeds. They were perfect! The sun's rays were flooding the field surrounding the webs and making them glow and glisten. They looked beautiful and I did my best to try and capture it!

Have a great day!
Brooke

Downtown Hidden Treasures { My latest photo session}

2010-08-27T14:47:00.000-05:00

Recently I had the honor of shooting a wonderful family in some great locations I stumbled upon in good ol' downtown Tulsa, like this one here...

Well, on to the family shots!

I just loved these red doors and thought they would work great for that pop of color!

Of course we had to get one of beautiful mom!

Naturally mom and dad needed one of just the two of them!

We took a ton of photos and the family had a hard time picking their favorites, which is good for me, but these are just a few of my favorites! I can't wait to utilize the great downtown area again, it was so much fun!

An ordinary day {A Bigger Picture Moment}

2010-08-26T23:00:00.000-05:00

There is nothing special about today, it's just another ordinary day, but as I sit down to write this today I don't have any looming duties to be done. The piles of laundry have dwindled down to one small basket of clothes that will find their home shortly, my dishes are squeaky clean and neatly stacked in the kitchen cabinets (with the help of my mama) and the images from my shoot earlier this week now have whiter teeth, brighter eyes and are blemish free. As my to do list shrinks in size I feel a little bit of calmness in my life. There are still a few things to check of my list, but at least now I can walk into the kitchen without a pile of dirty dishes staring at me reminding me how behind I am, making me put them off even longer and tonight when I go to grab the boys pj's I won't have to resort to using the ones that rarely leave the drawer.

It's crazy how a minor disturbance in our everyday life can cause so much pile up...But today it didn't seem so piled, just calm and ordinary, now don't get me wrong I use the word calm loosely in house full of boys, it's hard to go any day without a fight, whining and tantrums. The calm part is not trying to get a million things done in between those episodes. Not to mention the boys and I were able to enjoy some time outside and take a short walk with my sister and nephew, thanks to the hundred degree weather taking a vacation! So, nothing spectacular today, just things checked off my list, a casual lunch with family, and enjoying the weather...just an ordinary day, but a happy one...

Since I am being so ordinary today here are few ordinary things that parts of my brighter and happier...

I love this jar, its so simple and it's just a jar, but I love it's blue color and the fact that anything looks good in it, from flowers to an ice cold drink.

This little ducky is a frequent guest during my boys bath time, he's been hanging out for bubble time since my oldest took his first bath!

My youngest carries this little bear everywhere he goes...

I didn't have a awe inspiring bigger picture moment and our day was pretty average, but it was a good day, peaceful, calm and full of love and that is what the bigger picture is about sometimes, ordinary days that leave a smile on your face.

This is my bigger picture moment...If you would like to link up your bigger picture moment Meagan, over at Madeline Bea: Life set to words , is hosting this weeks link up!

Have a great day!

Brooke

P.S. Come back and visit tomorrow afternoon, I plan on sharing my latest photo session. We found some great downtown sites and I'm super excited to share them!

I've been in my own little world

2010-08-24T15:49:00.000-05:00

It seems like forever since I've been out here to send something off into the blogosphere, I guess only a week...but a lot has happened in that week. Two photo shoots, editing pictures, deadlines, a visit to the ER. Yes the ER, it sounds scary, but it really wasn't a big deal. A couple of test and two ultrasounds later they discovered I have gall bladder issues, who knew such a little organ could cause so much pain? To make a very long week of doctor visits short I've had two days of fasting, half a week of a clear liquid diet and a surgery is on the calendar. Before I get a ton of messages about natural remedies and such I've had many talks with many ladies from every aspect of the issue and through much discussion with my husband and prayer I decided to go with surgery. Trust me, even though this is a common, no big deal surgery it was something I wasn't happy about...the word surgery brings anxiety into my heart and crazy thoughts in my head. It was a big deal to me, it is a big deal to me.

Between the lack of food and anxious thoughts I've kind of sunk into my own little world. When I'm faced with these kind heavy decision I tend to internalize...I become an observer in my day to day life, I participate in very little and I focus on one thing. This week I've made it my goal to meet the deadline I had given my customer on her photos, even though I had laundry piling up and a bag that still needed unpacking, clean dishes waiting in the dishwasher and dirty ones in the sink, 365 photos that needed to be posted (and still do), and paper work that need to be done. I never quite felt up to writing a post, I wasn't inspired enough and i was feeling a little sorry for myself too. Although, I have been visiting the blogosphere and reading all your beautiful blogs, I just was not ready to participate this week.

Friday rolled along and I had been deep in thought and prayer all week and somewhere in there I prayed these words "calm my anxious heart" and it is now calm and I have emerged out of my own little world and ready to be inspired, be creative, check things of my list and enjoy my life with out anxious thoughts and a little less bad for you food!

So while I've been off in my own little world observing the world around me, I did manage to get some good shots this past week. As a matter of fact the day of the attack that sent me to the ER I had a fun just because session with my beautiful niece earlier that day! My mom had recently bought me some new props to add to my collection and my darling niece is always happy to be my model and it helps that she always makes such a good one! Plus she had a birthday right around the corner which gave us another excuse to have an impomptu session!

All the hats and bows and the adorable little tutu are my new accessories my mama bought me to keep in my arsenal of props, however this cute little tea rose pink head band featured in the last two pictures, along with the white feather clip that is attached to the tutu are made by my crafty friend, Sary...who happens to be an long time friend!

So here is to joining the world around me again, good health, change and enjoying life everyday! Happy Tuesday everyone!

Brooke

Sneak Peek{Family Photo Session}

2010-08-15T03:58:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I had my first "official" photo session. Sure I've held mini practice sessions with my niece and nephew, my beautiful cousins and my adorable baby nephew, but the was different, it was my first non-family member photo shoot. With this shoot I didn't have that security that they were going LOVE my work or be happy in the end. When I have mini sessions with family there is always that voice in the back of your head, "they have to say they love it, they're family"! Not to mention, its not the list bit intimidating to boss your young niece around into various, sometimes ridiculous, poses. Nor is it hard to steal away your nephew from your sister, just because the light is right. This time I had to set a planned time in hopes that the light was going to cooperate and cancellations weren't going to come last minute. I had to be confident even though there was possiblitiy that they might not like something. I had to be the take charge person, when I'm typically not..so many thought...I was up late the night before like a little school girl awaiting her party the next day. I was too excited and nervous at the same time. All in all things went well, baby fussing was at a minimum, light was fairly decent, I learned from mistakes and know what I want to improve on next time! So, I guess you want to see a sneak peek huh? Ok here it goes!

What a cutie pie!

My favorite from the day, our orginal date was before the 4th of July, however things didn't work out. However, they still wanted to get a few in their 4th of July shirts.

This was toward the end, fussiness started to set in, so we pulled out some props and a blanket and let her get comfy and play. Got some really good ones during that time. Like this one because she looks like she is really intent on getting those beads and she looks so darn cute doing it!

This pose was a request by the client, she wanted to mimic an old photo that she found of her mom and dad with her as a baby. To add a little more to the feel of a throwback photo I did a little playing around with the color. Not the exact color look of the orginal, but pretty close.

Another one towards the end of the day...Shortly after we took her clothes off she seemed to get happy again! Who wouldn't? It was HOT out there. Good thing we schedule early morning when it was still 89 degrees. Later that evening we hit a high of 114 degrees! No exageration here, my hubby has proof on his phone camera! Nor am I talking heat index!

Thanks for letting me share my session with you! Keeping to the idea of learning and to open up some discussion...any of you have tips, tricks of the trade or just advice to us newbie portrait photographers?

Have a great weekend and stay cool ya'll
Brooke

Untouched {An Unintended Bigger Picture Moment }

2010-08-12T16:14:00.020-05:00

The last couple of days I've been going through my pictures trying to figure out what photos I want to enter in the state fair, it will be my first time to do so and I'm a little excited an nervous at the same time. After reading through the rules and regulations, every "competition" has, the requirements for most of the categories are SOOC photos. Of course there is an enhanced category, but the majority of the categories require the picture to be completely unaltered from it's original state. You'd think this wouldn't be a problem, but I've come to notice that I find it very hard to refrain from edits to my work. Of course I keep the original and they aren't "bad", but still I edit...I don't know if its insecurity that the original isn't good enough or out of habit, maybe even both. Realizing this about my photography has made me look upon how I handle myself, stepping back and taking another look at my own life, I find I tend to do the same thing. Edit. Changing my original self to something slightly different, for others, for acceptance, or because it keeps conflict to a minimum...

The edits aren't always huge

Sometimes they are just a slight boost, contrast and sharpening...

Sometimes they are totally different from the original...

Sometimes the original is just as good...

If not better than the edit...

Sometimes...

I like how the edited version turned out...

Even if it just a slight change. Change isn't always bad, but sometimes its not neccasary. Being able to step back and see that sometimes edits aren't required and sometimes they are is when you know you are on the right path to balance, both in life and in your creative work. This is when you start to grow.

I think I am starting to grow...

Have a great day

Brooke

I did not intend for this post to be a Bigger Picture Moment, but it seems it turned out to be one...You can read other bigger picture moments and link up your own over at Sarah's blog, This Heavenly Life...

Or you can follow the button to The Bigger Picture Blog

Just another day...

2010-08-10T15:40:00.001-05:00

Two post in one day, but, this was my original post for the day, until I gathered the courage to post the other. So, post two! So, today is Sweet Shot Tuesday and the other day I spent part of the afternoon watching my boys play together and building towers with their Legos and just happen to get some cute shots! To be honest, summer is not my favorite season, yes I love playing in the water and outdoor activities, but seriously its way to HOT. I enjoy late spring and fall so much better...Back on track here, one thing I DO love about summer is our family is schedule free! We play at our leisure, run errand in a timely but casual manner, take detours, visit tons of family and have fun! Yes we'll still be playing with Legos during cool fall afternoons, but the schedule is coming back into our lives soon...I'd like to think we don't need it and can be self motivated, but if I'm honest with myself I can't. I need the schedule to get things done and to stay on track. So here is to summer days of play...

Busy hands

Taking a snack break!

Out on a Limb...

2010-08-10T11:35:00.000-05:00

Ok, here it goes...I'm not super comfortable with this post, but I decided to put myself out there. Literally. Putting myself in front of the camera is something I rarely do, especially if it is just because and not for a quick snapshot in a group setting. This week the two creative workshops that I participate in gave some really good, challenging assignments. The prompt for The Sunday Creative is raw and the This is Who I am workshop is all about hair flips. Well, the week is almost over for my hair flip assignment and I just didn't have the time to get a model, so I thought I'd try it myself and use my handy dandy remote. As for the word prompt raw, these pictures just fit the prompt for me. Part of the definition of raw is, changed little from the original form; not processed; not trained or experienced. Well, in these pictures, I am changed little from my original form, no makeup, hair just as it is (and a bad hair day at that) and my everyday chore clothes. Nor am I an experienced photographer, one short high school photography class is all the 'training' I've had...These photos are a little darker and have more grunge to them than my typical photography. They are a little more abstract and dream like, I guess dark and grunge also came to mind for the word raw...

So, this is me...raw...flipping my hair...putting myself out there...

Shapely {The Sunday Creative, Aug 1-7}

2010-08-08T02:23:00.001-05:00

Last minute I know, I had this wonderful idea involving an antique school desk and a big red apple for The Sunday Creative prompt. However, I just didn't get around to it this week! Oh well, my brother-in-law was so nice as to lend me his guitar. Which by the way, I ended up loving for this prompt, since the guitar has such a nice shape to it.

Breaking Away from the Actions

2010-08-06T16:32:00.001-05:00

I've been following along over at Kim Klassen's inspiration stay-cation this week and the other day she gave a photoshop tutorial on doing vintage effects with layers. I admit I am guilty of using actions for almost all my vintage effects on my photos, its just so easy and fast! However, it is nice every once in awhile to make it your own and do the steps yourself. So I was inspired by her tutorial and for the most part followed it step by step, I added a few of my own layers to get more of the look I wanted. Of course I added a few textures too, however I didn't use Kim's this time...Here's what I created!

Here is a quick progression of the second photo, from orginal to textured:

And, to give credit where credit is due, my cherry photo's were inspired by all the wonderful cherry photos popping up on flickr from talented photographers. Click here to see my mosaic of the photos that inspired me, they are amazing! I tried to keep up with their amazing talent and creativity I just hope I achieved it!

Have a good day!

Brooke

Time {A Bigger Picture Moment}

2010-08-05T14:08:00.000-05:00

August is approaching, wait it’s already here! Its fast arrival has only made me realize how fast time is flying by! Soon my boys will be approaching their 4th and 2nd birthdays and party planning will be in the works! As fun as party planning is and all the fun holidays that come with the arrival of fall and winter, I still get overwhelmed with the things cluttering our lives…from the merciless bills and unending daily chores to the trivial TV shows that we have convinced ourselves in to thinking we can’t miss! When I think about all these things crowding our lives a little quote one of my facebook friends shared once comes keeps hovering in my mind:

"I believe that the greatest trick of the devil is not to get us into some sort of evil but rather have us wasting time." - Donald Miller, 'Blue Like Jazz'

I could go on and on about this, but I’m just going to leave it at the quote…it sure makes ME think and think often about the bigger picture in MY life. Maybe it will resonate with you somewhere I your life. Make you think about the bigger picture in your life.

{Time that is never wasted; Time with my boys}

Written in participation with the Bigger Picture Moments, where we breathe in and find the beauty of

the bigger picture. You can read more bigger picture moments over at Hyacynth's blog, Undercover Mother, where this weeks link up can be found and you can share your own moment.

A morning read...

2010-08-03T12:13:00.000-05:00

This week I set out to get some pictures for the "around the house" theme over at mortal muses and decided to get some pictures of this little red book I found at a flea market. It has no special meaning nor is it a famous or classic book, I just like it.

I love its faded red color...

I love how the corners are starting to fray...

I love that it smells old ...

and I just love how it looks setting on the self of my curio cabinet among the other books.

If you want to join in on the fun over at Mortal Muses head on over, its a wonderful site! They also have a group pool over on Flickr!

I also sent this on over to Sweet Shot Tuesdays, since I just happen to love how these turned out and so far, they are my favorite this week!

Have a great day!
Brooke

This is who I am {For the love of prints}

2010-08-02T18:04:00.000-05:00

I recently discovered Christina over at Divas and Dreams Photography Blog and her free creative workshop...The workshop is on its fourth assignment, however, she has set it up so that you can join in at the current assignment or go back and start from the beginning. She is leaving the linky for the assignments up on each assignment post. So, the current assignment is all about celebrating prints, the actual product of our creativity that we can actually hold in our hands, not just look at on computer screens. As part of the assignment we are to take a photo of a print and then for the written part of the assignment we are to write about prints and how we feel about them. So now that you are caught up, on with my results! Oh, but first a link the the workshop, This is who I am...

I picked these prints because they were some of the first I took with my new "fancy" camera and the precious little one just happens to be my nephew. Making these prints the first newborn photos I had ever taken that were not my own children!

I love getting my photos printed off, although here lately I am guilty of NEVER getting around to it! I scrapbook as well as dabble in photography and have album upon album of photos and sleeves upon sleeves of printed photos that are waiting to be scrapbooked! There is something about physically holding your work in our hands, its nice to turn pages in albums and shuffle through a stack of photographs. Now I just need to make it a point to get those photos in waiting in a book and move onto my newest stuff. However, I might just be buying simple photo albums from now on and put scrapbooking on the shelf.

One more photo...it is not of a print, but just a new picture of my handsom nephew. I took the pictures in my photograph when he was two weeks, he is now 5 months! Isn't he adroable?

Have a great day!
Brooke

A Cherry on top!

2010-08-01T00:29:00.000-05:00

Ok ok ok, I know I said I was taking a quick break, but so many wonderful things and creative projects just keep happening! So, I've decided to just put my blogging in a little time slot on my schedule and take advantage of my night owl genes. Anyway, on to the point of this post. Friday I was reading some comments from my fellow bloggers and under one of my post I got a link from Kristin over at The Freebird Photoblog saying tag your it. She was passing along this sweet little award along to me!

Isn't she sweet? I was truly surprised and honored to be included in her list blogs to pass along this sweet little award to! If you haven't been over to Kristin's blog you should go see her, she has a lovely blog with amazing pictures that always have the most beautiful tones and color effects!

Thank you so much Kristin for thinking of me! You sure know how to make a girl happy!

The rules of this decadent award are to:

1. Thank the person who gave the award to you

{ As I did above, oh I'll do it again, Thanks Kristin!}

2. Copy the award and put it on your blog

{You can see it up there on top, isn't it cute?}

3. List three things about you {Oh my let's see...}

I dream of travel and see my little family filling up some passports in the future {well if they still have the old fashion kind then they would be full}. Greece, Australia and Africa are definitely on the list!
Although I dream of travel and exploring the world, I would be just fine with a secluded little cabin decorated just the way I wanted, with a beautiful garden full of flowers and veggies, a huge pasture full of wildflowers, my handsome little boys giggling and playing and me and the hubby watching them from the porch.
I absolutely loathe dishes and can't wait until the plumber gets here Monday to install my shiny black dishwasher!

4. Post a photo that you love{There are so many!}

Happy Birthday Pierce!

There are my most recent set of photos I love...They are of a balloon release in honor of a little guy who earned his angel wings last year, we were not able to join Pierce's mommy and daddy along with the rest of our family so we held our own private release at the same time, just a different town. The day we did this it would of been his 3rd birthday...I love these photos because they remind me to cherish every moment with my boys and remind me to continually pray for Pierce's mommy and daddy and the healing of their broken hearts! True it is sad, but yet it is beautiful in the way his short little life taught us so many valuable lessons and continues to do so! He has touched many hearts and if you'd like to read about his story you can here...

And last on the list...

5. Tag five people you want to pass this award on to:

This is the hardest part! As Kristin had stated in her shout out to me, I am a new blogger, therefore so new to this blog world! There are so many wonderful blogs out there and many of my favorites have already received this award, like Corinne at Trains, Tutus and Teatime and Maureen over at Cottage 960. Naturally, I would just send this right back to Kristin for The Freebird Photoblog since it is so wonderful! So, here are my choices, I don't know if they have already received this or not but they are my choices anyway!

1. Hyacynth at Undercover Mother-She has beautifully written post, that as a mother, I can relate to most of the time. She is also one of the wonderful ladies behind The Bigger Picture Moment blog.

2. Sherrie from Search for Serenity-An extraordinary lady who's blog is full of beautifully expressed emotions and amazing photos! She really has a way with textures and post processing, and I am in love with her photography!

3. Abby over at A Feathered Nest-I have had this blog in my favorites list long before I gathered the courage to start my own blog and before I started my photography up again. I have been following her for some time now, just not officially until recently. She is one crafty momma and always has amazing pictures to go along with her step by step instruction. I used her directions to make a baby gift once!

4. Darrah Parker Photography-She takes amazing portraits and has a wonderful blog packed with tiny slices of life! She also host the "Slice of Life Tuesdays" Flickr group.

Last on my list, only because I can't keep on adding more or I'd never get to post this to my blog:

5. My good friend Valerie Mellema, we go back to grade school and girl scouts and rekindled through facebook, she has her blog Writing Through Life One Day at a Time and her photoblog Photosuwant.

Again, a big THANK YOU to Kristin for passing along this award!

Naked {The Sunday Creative: July 25-31}

2010-07-30T16:01:00.000-05:00

I know I said I was taking a short break and I am, however, I did mention that I was going to continue a few creative projects. Well, The Sunday Creative, just happens to be one. This week's prompt was 'Naked', a very good prompt, one that could bring many wonderful interpretations (if you head on over to The Sunday Creative you can check them out). Naturally, we were advised to keep it PG-13 and I would have it no other way. Anyway, here's my interpretation...

A few simple crayolas...

All dirty, broken, naked and bare...

Still overflowing with the ability to create something beautiful!

Even when we are broken, naked and bare we still have the ability to be beautiful and to create beautiful things, we are all just simple crayolas, we just need to be put to good use to remember our beauty.

Go forth and be beautiful and create beautiful things! Enjoy the last days of summer!

Summer

2010-07-28T01:12:00.000-05:00

Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.

-- Russel Baker

Summer is coming to an end, soon I have to quit procrastinating and start thinking about preschool lessons and weekly social activities, as those around us will be going back to public school and we will be staying home. I have to kick my brain back into working mode and come up with ways to keep my children entertained during the week, exhausting every resource our tiny town has, in order to keep from becoming couch potatoes when the weather turns chilly. I've got to bring back the schedule, because face it, I need schedules and checklist to keep things on course. All this sounds daunting to me, however it is exciting at the same time. It's a new adventure I am taking on, teaching my children myself. I know they "learn" from me everyday, but this is different, I am making myself the sole person responsible for educating their spongy little minds! Wait! Summer's not over yet! I still have a few weeks before I absolutely have to bother my mind with all this stuff, I can push it off to this side for just a little while longer! We are going to get the most out of the rest of our carefree summer and do as much fun mindless things as possible! I might be gone for a few weeks to enjoy the rest of our summer, I'll still post to my 365 project here and on flickr, but I'm taking a break from blogging and the long list of creative projects {I'm going still going to do like two, I couldn't quit them all completely, it's not in my creative nature}. So here's to summer and the days that have past and the days that are to come! Enjoy the rest of your summer, my blog world friends! I'll see you in a few weeks!

These last weeks of summer we are going to try to stay cool...

Laugh out loud everyday...

Get wet...

Splash in the water...

Be free and have fun...

Play a little longer...

And enjoy every moment!

Happy Summer Fun Everyone!

A Girl should be two things, Fabulous and Classy

2010-07-23T18:48:00.000-05:00

This week I was honored to have a photo session with two fabulous and classy girls! Two girls who just happen to be my cousins. I had so much fun and I'm grateful to them for being such wonderful models and for the much needed practice!

Here are a few of our favorites from the session!

These are my favorite of Sam's photos!

I thought she was a natural at modeling!

Beautiful Sisters!

Miss Savanna was nervous at first, but after we loosened her up she had lots of fun and we got some great shots!

The first shot of the day

My favorite one of the day! She wanted bubbles and it was so fun taking this set of shots!

Two more favorites, Classy Punk Rocker and Cute Secret Spy!

Sam had fun for the most part, but she really had fun when we got her uncle's bike out.

The last one of the day, the sun is almost gone...

Lord help the mister who comes between me and my sister,

and Lord help the sister who come between me and my man!

I had a blast doing this photo shoot, thank you girls for a wonderful session!

Traditional {The Sunday Creative}

2010-07-21T14:51:00.002-05:00

I missed out on the last few prompts on "The Sunday Creative", mostly due to my lack of creativity and time. However, this week I really wanted to try to think of something. So, I continued to think of an idea while I went on with my daily routines and worked on my various projects. I just couldn't come up with an idea I was happy with, my creative juices just haven't been flowing like they should. Then yesterday, while the boys were napping I started to search for something to use for my picture of the day. I sat outside and patiently waited for some dragonflies to land on a near by plant again, but they never did. Then I went in search for flowers, luckily the tiny yellow flowers in my flower bed have some how figured out how to beat the crazy heat. I got a few shots of my flowers and also tried out using a background behind them instead of the natural background, they turned out ok, but, I'd like to keep experimenting more with the background. After going back inside, the boys were still asleep and I had to time to take more pictures. While searching for a subjects, my eyes found my Nannie's (my great grandma's) teapot. Then an idea sparked and I was digging through old jewelry boxes in search of my other great grandma's pearls. Pearls and china what is more traditional/classic than that?

After taking my shots I put them on my computer to view them and started thinking about the word traditional and it's relation to my pictures...Pearls and china are traditional, but THESE specific pearls and pieces of china speak tradition to me in many other ways. The actual items themselves are not part of my memories or traditions...they are just the pieces of property that were handed down to me after my great grandmothers passed aways. It's the women who use to own them that speak the word tradition to me.

The China: Sunday drives after church to visit my Nannie and Poppie are a very prominent childhood memories. Laying on her lap while she scratched my back. How soft, bright and breezy her living room was during the day. The little notes she sent me while I was off at college. The joy I felt that she was able to see our first born grow well into his first year and how blessed we were to have five generations. Her beans, her cornbread, all those little plastic bags she saved, oh and her roast! Her hair, the stockings she always wore, the house shoes she left by the front door that never stepped foot outside. These are the many memories and the little traditional things about my Nannie, Betty Jo, that wonder around my mind and resurface when I look at the things I have that once belonged to her.

The pearls: Laying in the floor watching afternoon game shows with my Great Grandma Marcie is one of my biggest childhood memories of her. I don't know if I remember her ever wearing these pearls, at least not when I was around, but she did always have a necklace and matching earrings on. I do remember the walks to convenient store down the block with my cousin and her letting us buy those candy cigarettes (remember those?), I remember sitting on her front porch covered with the fake green grass and aluminum chairs. I remember her house and the mermaids in the bathroom and no slip decals in the tub. I remember feeling the rooms always seemed a little mysterious, but yet I felt comfortable. I remember the metal address book and running the slider up and down the capitalized letters. I remember my grandma quiet, tall, thin, and frail looking, but yet she always seemed to portray quiet strength.

I don't remember this china ever being used or seeing these pearls worn by my grandma, but, I remember the women. These are the piece that were given to me, that they wanted me to have and that I cherish because of the memories they hold when I think of the women who owned them. Maybe I can pass them down to my boys and hopefully they will keep the tradition and keep them in the family.

Rub a Dub Dub...

2010-07-19T19:53:00.001-05:00

This week has definitely been busy and if anyone was to take a look at my 365 project would see it reflected there. The last few days haven't been my most creative and I have actually found myself a little uninspired and unmotivated to say the least. So far this week I've as creatively as I could captured my salt and pepper shakers (which I've had since my hubby and I got married and snagged for a dollar each at Target), my favorite (and only) clock in the house, and some yellow squash we got from a neighbor while on our evening walk (quite kind of him to share his garden). This weekend there I was again, late in the evening and I hadn't even touched my camera, but, I am determined to complete the project I started, to take a photo a day for a year. After all, I've only been in this things for almost two months now. So, there I was giving the boys their evening baths and for whatever reason they took separate baths and it was Parker's turn. I decided to grab my camera and use this moment as my photo for the day, even though I really just wanted to get the boys cleaned and in bed so I could crash on the couch. As I started snapping pictures of my little man I remembered how much I love bath time. There is always excitement in their eyes as they splash around and you can see their little minds at work while they dump water in and out of cups. I was happy I had waited until late to get a picture, because it reminded me where the desire to take better pictures developed...My Kids! I wanted to be able to capture moments like these, they way I remembered them happening. I only wish they boys had taken a bath together that night!

I was blogged by The Maternal Lens!

2010-07-18T01:40:00.001-05:00

Today, I was taken some time to do more than upload pictures to my flickr photostream and after viewing some wonderful pictures I headed over to see what activity was going on in my actual photostream. That's when I saw a link posted as a comment to one of my photos. I clicked on it and much to my surprise I saw that my picture, 'boy's and their toys', was featured on The Maternal Lens as part of their Friday inspiration! The inspiration this Friday being, TOYS! I was pretty excited and thought I would share...

What I learned from a "Bounty" commercial {a Bigger Picture Moment}

2010-07-15T00:30:00.002-05:00

Our vacation is officially over, back to life as normal! Eventually life's little challenges creep back into our existence and replace our care free vacation attitude with reminders of the responsibilities we've taken on...I can no longer pretend that to do list doesn't exists and I can't continue to ignore that pile of laundry I unpacked from the suit cases. Nor can I act like our cabinets aren't empty, not that my boys would EVER let that happen, they are growing boys after all and require AT LEAST five small meals a day (it sounds like a lot, but it's not like I give them a five course meal each time, I did say small)! So, the week begins!
Just in the three days we've "officially" been home we've spent way to much money at the grocery store, installed two ceiling fans, ordered a new dishwasher (which I am SO excited about!), unpacked, paid bills, been immersed in family drama, kept three doctors appointments, made a trip to the post office, checked install guttering off our home improvement list and I personally washed, dried, folded and put up seven loads of laundry! So, I'm sure your wondering where the "Bounty" commercial came in...don't worry I'm getting there!

So there I was folding laundry and starting to let life's challenges bog me down and turn me into an uptight, no non-sense mom and wife when the commercial came on. Like any typical household product commercial there was a devoted mother doing something domestic, in this case she was baking in the kitchen with her child, apparently waiting for the arrival of her mother. When the mom wasn't paying attention the kid started drawing on the counter tops with his fingers and the batter she was mixing. When the child said "look mom!" she discovers what he as done and instead of stressing over dirty counter tops, upon the impending arrival of her mother, she joins in the mess making and later cleans the mess with a "bounty" towel.

While the purpose of the commercial was to sell me a product and imply their product makes that moment possible, it just hit me in another way. Being a somewhat smart consumer I knew a paper towel wasn't the root of that easy going moment between mother and child, but, would have to be the result of the mother's state of mind and attitude. If this commercial had been a snippet from my home, in the middle of the week, in between our to do list task, waiting for the impending arrival of company, trying to finish the meal planned for those guest, and in the middle of a clean kitchen I would of yelled at my one of my boys and let myself get all worked up and STRESSED! That's when it hit me, why do I let myself get stressed over simple things like this? It really is unrealistic to think that everything is always going to go right all the time and it really is not fun being serious and all work all the time. Not saying I'm not going to get a little upset with crayon on the walls or purple juice purposely spilled on the carpet. However, the toys don't always have to be in a particular box as long as they get put up and it's not that big of a deal if they drag a small bucket of toys out after I just picked up the whole house. It is OK if they use a shirt from the unattended basket of folded laundry to put on their heads to be silly and no one is hurt when they take all the pillows off the couch to make a "bridge" or landing pad for their jumping stunts (unless of course an elbow meets an eye). Instead, maybe I should do a few jumps myself or grab my own shirt to adorn my head and dance around the room. Life has too many challenges on its own to add unnecessary self-imposed stress, so, even if a crayon happens to meet a wall maybe instead of yelling I should take the time to explain why I am upset. Instead of letting the stress turn me into a mean, yelling, all work no play mommy, I need to let them turn into moments my boys are going to remember me as an understanding, care free, not scary, approachable mom, who occasionally has to get down to business and lay down the law from time to time. After all who wants to come to a person who is always screaming, yelling and making big deals out of every little mistake? I don't, so why would expect my children to once the learn they don't have to. I'm not perfect and I make mistakes, so, I can't expect my kids to be perfect and to never make a mistake. They are kids and they are just trying to enjoy life and giggle a little. Granted, there is a time and place for seriousness, work and order, but, that time isn't all the time.

So, "Bounty" set out to sell me a paper towel, but ended up reminding me to not sweat the small stuff! Who knew?

{This is us not sweating the small stuff}

{Last day of our vacation we went to a beach to try and get some family photos. This was my first time to use the shutter release remote to capture my family. I set my camera up on a tripod and left it low to the ground, gathered my crew and started clicking away. I was surprised to get several good shots, I put my favorites into this collage. I hope you enjoy!}

I saw the Bigger Picture this week, did you? Written in participation with Bigger Picture Moments,a place where we step back and take in life. There are moments where we’re so caught up in it all, the hectic mind boggling pace of the day. We encourage you to take this opportunity to take a moment and view the Bigger Picture. Whatever that means to you. A moment where you recognized the role your faith plays in your every day life. A moment where you take note of motherhood and the importance of what you are doing. A moment that made you stop and smell breathe in the bigness of it all. If you'd like to participate check out the Bigger Picture Blog or head on over to Peanut butter in my hair for this weeks link up and to share your Bigger Picture Moment.

Textures, Textures, Textures How do I Love Thee...

2010-07-14T11:10:00.000-05:00

Well this post isn't really about when or how textures entered my life, but more of a display of what I have done since I discovered them! I troll the web continuously for new textures and constantly add new ones to my collection. I don't remember which ones I use on what photos, I am really bad at not writing it down. However, the majority of the textures I use come from Jerry Jones over at Shadowhouse Creations, a great source for quality textures and good tutorials too. So just for the record, I haven't taken on the task of creating my own textures, I just utilize the wonderful textures created by those who are willing to share! The photos I use however are mine.

The thing I love about textures is they transform a photograph into something totally different and give your photograph a different feel. Yes you could play around with the colors and make a photo look old or antique. However, that is just the colors, if you have the right combination of textures and layer them right you get something that looks like it IS an old photograph. For me textures can sometimes just add that little something to bring a photo, not necessarily to the next level, but, a different level. If fact, I often have trouble deciding which version I like best, the original photograph or the textured one. They both are usually great and each tells it's own story and has it's own purpose.

Here are some of my favorites I've textured! A few are repeats that you can find under my 365 and Creativity Boot Camp tabs, but, I wanted to share them again just in case you don't make it my other pages...

The Rusty Sign...

{Above is the original photo of a railroad sign... the sign is cool and rusted and I like the blue against the rusty brownish red. However I felt it needed something else...I added a cloud texture because I felt the tiny little wispy could in the top of the photo wasn't enough. Then I just added a grungy texture to compliment the grungy rusted sign. Finally I added a layer mask and took away the added textures from the actual sign, this way the sign itself was unaltered. Below is the finished product}

The Sunny Sunflower...

{This next photograph I actually have several different ways, I just love it so much I've textured it, I've played with the color and kept it the same and I love it in all it's forms, but, here I'm sharing it in it's original and textured version}

Yellow field of horses...

{This is one of my first photos I took with my new camera that wasn't of my children or garden. We were on the highway making our way to the big city for some shopping...we have to travel to shop since we live in the boonies...when we came across this field covered in yellow flowers. I thought it was amazing and had my husband pull over. This was my favorite shot of the that day. After experimenting with textures, I decided to go back to this photo and see what it looked like with some texture...Below is the result}

Well, this post is starting to get long so I'll just add a few more of my favorite textured pieces without a long description...

A before and after...

Last one, another before and after...

As I mentioned before you can get some great textures from Shadowhouse Creations. I hope you enjoyed my mini gallery of my textured photos...If you'd like to visit Shadowhouse Creations just click here and head on over and start texturizing!

The Good Life...

2010-07-11T03:18:00.001-05:00

I spent the past week on vacation with my family and it was truly amazing! Aside from the twenty hour drive each way, we had a wonderful time. The only thing about vacation is knowing it will soon come to an end and at that end is work, chores and the daily grind. However, those vacation memories will fall into the cracks of responsibilities and continue to reminded us how much fun we have with those we see everyday. Something I think we forget because we do get caught up in work, routine, and responsibilities. I spent the week building sand castles, searching for seashells, swimming in the ocean, watching my boys smile everyday, walking the beach with my hubby and watching the boys walk the beach with their daddy...that is the good life! That is the thing that makes going back to the daily grind seem like it is just a moment in time. It reminds us to strive to bring the vacation back home and put a little fun in our everyday life!

These pictures don't even begin to portray our amazing time!

{Beach on Bald Head Island, we took the ferry from Southport, North Carolina and spent most of the day there! Beautiful is all I can say about the Island!}

{The three men in my life! "Surfing" at Oak Island in North Carolina...God has truly blessed me with so much! I am grateful for the time my boys were able to spend with their daddy!}

{Old Baldy,the reason we took the ferry out to Bald Head Island, but my favorite part was the beach on the other side}

{The sand was by far the favorite part of my boy's trip. They spent all day playing in it when we went to the beach}

{The houses on Bald Head Island were so gorgeous! They were one of my favorite parts of the Island}

{Sunset Beach...I think I got a shot of a pier at all the beaches! they were just so amazing I couldn't resist!}

{The boys and I loved this little phone booth, for different reasons obviously, but it made for a good photo op either way!}

{Our day was almost over on Oak Island Beach, I loved the foamy edges of the water. Definitely the Good life!}